9 Smart Ways to Use a QR Code for Restaurants
Have you been to restaurants or cafés where servers no longer take your orders or encourage digital payment rather than cold cash?
A QR code for restaurants actually made this all possible. Imagine just scanning a QR code using your mobile phone and being able to pick your orders—that and more!
This article will explore key strategies for using QR codes in restaurants and how they can benefit your business. You will learn the basics of a free QR code generator to use to your advantage.
Table of Contents
Top 9 uses of QR codes in restaurants
Digitized menu
The menu QR code solution allows businesses to digitize their menu. Doing this will allow customers to get a full view of the menu list straight from their own phone, plus it eliminates the need to print bulk menu cards—which is a cost-saver.
This makes the whole ordering process convenient, engaging, and fast. For businesses, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone.
Contactless payment
Many restaurants today have started adopting cashless payment methods. Cards and bank transfers are the most common means of payment today.
Restaurant QR codes are often displayed on counters, which paying customers can scan to make direct payments. There is no need to manually enter the recipient’s full name or account number, which can be incorrectly typed, resulting in transfer problems.
Plus, there’s no need to worry about preparing for a payment change because customers payment are made in exact.
Online reservation or booking system
By making your QR code available online, booking for reservations is now made easy. Customers can check availability, reserve seats, and book a schedule with a scan.
They can do this anytime, anywhere, allowing the staff to focus more on providing excellent service. A QR code booking system can help you effortlessly optimize your seating and improve table arrangement.
Loyalty programs
It is also possible to use QR codes to provide customer loyalty programs, where customers scan QR codes for restaurants to earn points for purchases.
Once customers reach a certain number of points, they can redeem them for discounts or free meals. This encourages customers to make more purchases and visit again.
Social media integration
Restaurants can use QR codes to link customers to their social media pages. This allows customers to follow the restaurant, share pictures, and leave comments. Customers can also repost your content to their profiles or mutuals.
Restaurant location
Provide detailed directions through QR codes to make it easy for customers to find you.
Embedding map services like Waze and Google Maps allow customers to be guided on directions from their current location to your restaurant.
If they are new customers, this will be especially helpful and reflect significantly on the restaurant's reputation.
Event invitations
You can also use an event QR code to host events like cooking classes, theme nights, or wine tastings. Customers can scan the code to join the event and interact with the chef or sommelier during the celebration.
Promote your special events with a QR code advertising that provides all the details and allow customers to RSVP or buy tickets.
WiFi access
A WiFi QR code will give access to your restaurant’s internet network, significantly improving customer satisfaction by providing customers a place to work and dine simultaneously.
Table tent QR codes can seamlessly connect customers to your network, making your restaurant a more attractive spot and reducing your staff's burden.
Instant SMS
By scanning the SMS QR code, your customers can receive SMS notifications of promotional offers, event reminders, or order confirmations through SMS. With this, you can expect repeat customer visits and build stronger connections with them.
Why restaurateurs are using restaurant QR codes
There are several advantages of using a QR code system for restaurant, including:
Streamlined ordering and payment
You can streamline customer ordering and payment processes using QR codes, making them more efficient and convenient.
It can lead to faster service and shorter wait times for customers. And who wouldn't love a quick service?
Improved marketing and advertising
Improve marketing and advertising efforts with QR codes for restaurant marketing to direct customers to the restaurant's menu, online ordering system, or other information about the business. Doing so can increase visibility and attract new customers.
Increased customer engagement
You can use QR codes to increase customer engagement and drive repeat business. For example, restaurants can encourage customers to visit more frequently by offering special promotions, discounts, or rewards through QR codes.
Gather customer feedback
Feedback is essential to helping make business decisions. Still, now, everyone has the luxury of sitting down and filling out a form.
A QR code for feedback collection, however, are a great alternative to gathering customer feedback and reviews, which can be valuable information for restaurants to improve their service and offerings.
The best solution for this is a digital online form. Smartphone scanners can fill out the form.
With that, you can use their preferences to make improvements and adjustments.
You can do all of that with the free QR code generator online.
Cost-effective
With QR codes, there's no need to use physical menus and promotional materials. Printing costs would be reduced significantly, and updates to your menu would be no problem, saving both time and money.
Contactless ordering and payment
You can reduce the risk of germ transmission by providing a QR code menu, ordering, and payment options.
You can pay with QR code restaurant and set up a contactless payment option, redirecting customers to your e-wallet. It can keep customers and staff safe and create a better overall experience than exchanging paper bills.
Increased customer loyalty
By implementing a loyalty program or rewards through QR codes, restaurants can increase customer loyalty and drive repeat business.
Some loyalty programs you can apply are coupons, vouchers, and discount deals.
How do I create a QR code for restaurants?
To realize all the suggestions above, you'll need a QR code. Below are the steps to do so.
1. Find a free QR code generator online. This QR code maker offers various types of customization and a wide list of free solutions.
2. Choose a solution. It would be best if you had a purpose for using a QR code. Is it for marketing? Is it for payment systems? Choose different solutions.
3. Upload or attach the details. QR code generators will ask you for more information; it could be a file, or you'll need to input other data.
4. Generate the QR code. Click the Generate QR code button to facilitate the creation of a QR code.
5. Customize your QR code. You can add colors to it and change frames. Adding a CTA is also recommended.
6. Test your QR code. It should redirect scanners to the correct data.
Implementing QR Codes with Free QR Code Generator
Here, you will learn how to use your QR codes in more effective ways:
- Ensure visibility: QR codes should be placed on well-lit materials in visible locations. It is essential to consider accessibility for your QR codes, so putting them on table tents, flyers, posters, or the payment counter to make them stand out.
- Provide instructions: Place a call-to-action beside your QR code so that customers who need to become more familiar with how to use it may do it on their own. Make the instructions simple and understandable.
- Monitor usage: Analytic tools in QR codes can help you monitor the number of times your QR code was used and how much you earn through it.
The data can provide information on which items customers prefer and which ones you need to improve.
- Test the QR codes: Unreadable QR codes or faulty links may cause disruption and more work for your staff. Double-check the QR code before launching it to ensure customers always have access to the latest offers and events.
- Keep the information updated: Menus and offers should be updated regularly to ensure that customers fulfill the services and discounts they seek. Links should be monitored for order processing and feedback.
Get a QR code system for restaurants today!
QR codes are versatile tools that can benefit your restaurant in various ways. How creative you can be with your QR codes is up to you.
Brand awareness among customers is the ultimate goal for future achievements, and a QR code for restaurants can be a useful tool for this purpose.
By implementing these strategies, you can maximize your resources and improve sales while still serving your customers at their convenience.
Create your QR code today. Visit the Free QR Code Generator and sign up for an account, then start exploring the software to find the best solutions for your needs.
FAQs
What are some creative ways to use QR codes in a restaurant?
With a QR code for restaurants, you can attach any marketing material you want, including a food review, chef interviews, interactive games, or food quizzes related to your menu, behind-the-scenes videos, and virtual tours of the restaurant and other branches.
What is the best QR code for a restaurant menu?
The Menu QR code is the best QR code solution to use when wanting to create a menu for your restaurant. It’s easy to navigate and allows you to personalize your menu page.
What should I do if a QR code stops working?
If a QR code stops working, the link or site you entered in your QR code must be incorrect or no longer active. With dynamic QR codes, you can always change or update the link.
But if you are using a static QR code, you will have to create a new code with the updated information.
Written by a human
Fatima P.
Content Writer at FREE QR code generator
Fatima is an accomplished SEO content writer with a wealth of experience crafting compelling, informative content across various product categories, specializing in SAAS. With a background in writing and journalism, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Beyond her professional pursuits, Fatima is a creative force, weaving feature stories and poetry. Her curiosity extends to the cosmos, where she finds solace studying astronomy. When not immersed in words or stargazing, you'll find her tending to her garden, a sanctuary of growth and beauty.